Inhibitory glycine receptors (GlyRs) containing the alpha1 and beta subunits are well known for their involvement in an inherited motor disorder (hyperekplexia) characterised by neonatal hypertonia and an exaggerated startle reflex. However, it has recently emerged that other GlyR subtypes (e.g. those containing the alpha2, alpha3 and alpha4 subunits) may play more diverse biological roles. New animal models of glycinergic dysfunction have been reported in zebrafish (bandoneon, shocked), mice (cincinatti, Nmf11) and cows (CMD2). In addition, key studies on neurotransmitter transporters for glycine (GlyT1, GlyT2, VIAAT) have also revealed key roles for these presynaptic and glial proteins in health and disease. Molecular modelling and structure/function studies have also provided key insights into allosteric signal transduction mechanisms and the diverse pharmacology of glycine receptors. This Research Topic aims to bring together experts in the field of glycinergic transmission, and invite research articles or topical reviews to provide an up-to-date perspective on the insights into receptor, transporter and synaptic function that can be gained by the study of glycinergic transmission.Jimmy Van den Eynden1, Sheen Saheb Ali1, Nikki Horwood2, Sofie Carmans1,
Bert BrAane1, Niels Hellings1, Paul Steels1, ... Whilst gamma-amino butyric acid (
GABA), interacting with GABAA receptors (GABAARs) acts on the rostral part,
glycine-mediated transmission operates in the ... harbour functional Ip1I² GlyRs
when studied ex vivo in spinal cord slices (Kirchhoff et al., 1996; Pastor et al.,
1995).